Ralph J. Heikkinen

HEIKKINEN, RALPH J.

Ralph J. Hekkinen, passed away February 21, 2014 at Borgess Medical Center after a lengthy battle with medical issues. He is survived by his loving daughters, Catherine Vogt and Kristen Blumke (and five grandchildren) and siblings, Margaret Parisen, Linda Heikkinen, and James Heikkinen. Ralph was devoted to the University of Michigan, and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He graduated in 1966, then received his law degree from Wayne State University and practiced law in Michigan, Texas, and the US Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Later he worked in fund development for Western Michigan University and Southern Illinois University. He was a man who enjoyed laughter, reading, politics, and will be greatly missed by his long friends Bill Halbert and Robert and Pam Guenzel. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Kalamazoo on Tuesday, February 25, 2014, at 11:00am, followed by a luncheon at the church. Memorial gifts may be directed to Friends of the Kalamazoo Public Library, 315 Rose St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007 OR First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007 (benefiting the church's Stephen Ministry).